Method and apparatus for closing and sealing paperboard boxes and cartons



Jan. 20, 1942. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING 'AND SEALING PAPEBBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS Oct. 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed INVENTOR .JYermn fl (Err/ail ATTORNEY H AQCARRUTH 2,270,264 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING'AND SEALING PAPERBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS Filed Oct. 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 c/rmrrETTE lNVEgNTOR Herman fl. rrullr/ BY Wkz. m ATTORNEY ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 CARRUTH NO \NJ PAPERBOARD BOXES AND *CARTONS Filed Oct. 25, 1959 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING Jan. 20, 1942.

Jan. 20, 1942'. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING PAPERBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS Filed Oct. 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR .berman AZ Zarraf/t AQATTORNEY v Jan. 20, 1942. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GLOSING'fAND SEALING PAPERBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS 6 Sheets-Shegt 5 Filed 001:. 25, 1939 Jan. 20, c u l- 2,270,264,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSINGEAND SEALING PAPERBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS Filed Oct. 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1942 2,270,264 OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING- AND SEALING PAPERBOARD BOXES AND CARTONS Herman A. Carruth, Northford, Conn, assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 25, 1939, Serial No. 301,093

16 Claims.

This invention relates to animproved method and apparatus for closing and sealing P perboard boxes and cartons, and more particularly to a.

new and novel arrangement of steps and devices whereby paperboard boxes, andcartons, after being packed with merchandise, may be automatically closed and sealed at a high production rate substantially without hand labor.

which operations produce a box body in which merchandise may be packed. 1

Vast quantities of paperboardboxes and car- I tons are used in the packaging of numerous andvarious different kinds of merchandise. Such boxes and cartons are usually thrown away or destroyed after a single use and consequently the cost of the packaging medium constitutes a substantialitemin determining the-final cost of the merchandise to theconsumer. A box or carton formed from a single paperboard blank which is in, all substantial respects rectangular in shape, is the most economical since such box and carton blankscan be cut and scored substantially without waste of paperboard material. Difficulty arises, however, in closing and sealing boxes and cartons erected from such rectangular blanks at a satisfactory production rate. Boxes and cartons used in the packaging of cigarette packs,

for example, have been formed from blanks hav-v ing end flaps of different lengths, resulting in substantial waste and loss of material in cutting the blanks. Boxes and cartons have been heretofore made from such irregular-shaped blanks This invention is more particularly directed to improved method steps and devices whereby such a packed box and carton. may be closed and sealed automatically without hand labor and at a high production rate.

In carrying out this closing and sealing operation, the sealing tab hinged to the cover panel is first bent at right angles thereto and a'relatively narrow strip of adhesive is applied to this cover tab, which operations. are performed as the box is continuously advanced on a moving conveyor. As the box" continues to advance, the cover panel is brought into closed position, the cover tab tucked into the box adjacent the inside face of the front panel thereof, and the cover tab pressed into firm adhesive engagement with the inside face of the front panel of the box. As the box continues for the reason that no satisfactory method or-apparatus has been devised for automatically closing and sealing boxes formed from rectangularshaped blanks at a production rate commensurate wit-hthe saving in material effected. V

In accordance with this invention, a method and apparatus has been devised'for closing and sealing boxes and cartons formed from rectangular blanks of paperboard material at an unusually high speed of production so that substantial savings are effected not only in paperboard material but also in closing and sealing the .packed box or carton. My improved method. and apparatus are particularly adapted for operating upon an erected and Packed box formed from :1. single blank of paperboard material having a cover panel which is to be brought into closed ,position,the cover panel having'a front-securing tab and end flaps which must be brought into sealing engagement with the front wall and end walls of the box body. The box blank may,

be erected into box form by various box-assem bling operations now known to the art, which operations comprise raising the frontand rear wall panels at right angles to the bottom wall panel, turning the end tabs hinged to the ends of the front and rear wall panels inwardly at right angles thereto, and raising the end wall flaps hinged to the ends of the bottom wall panel into adhesive contact with the inturned end tabs,

its advance, adhesive is applied to the end flaps projecting from the ends of the cover panel, the cover end flaps are then folded over the end tabs projecting inwardly from the front and rear wall panels, followingwhich the cover end flaps are pressed into firm adhesive engagement with these end tabs, producing a packed box which is neatly closed and sealed. The free edges of the adjacent upturned bottom flaps and the adjacent downturned cover flaps are preferably cut to neatly meet at the midsectionof the end walls,

or conveyors. The only moving parts of my improved closing and sealing apparatus comprise the box-advancing conveyor belts, the box pressure belts, and the glue-applying rollers 'which,

though rotating, remain stationary with respect to the advancing movement of the boxes. The. conveyor mechanism is so constructed and arranged that the boxes are successively advanced therealong in substantially uniform spaced relationship. The output speed which may be developed is limited only by the speed at which the box-advancing belts may safely be driven.

' All moving parts, including the conveyor belts,

pressure belts and glue rollers, are driven from a single power source, assuring positive synchronism of these moving parts. The mechanisms and devices for folding and manipulating the cover panel, cover sealing tab and cover end flaps, are so arranged and constructed that these parts of the box are moved into closing and sealing position by streamlined flow as the boxes are boxes and cartons expeditiously at a high pro- I duction rate so as to produce sealed boxes and cartons which are strong and sturdy in construction, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically closing and sealing packed boxes and cartons by continuous flow operation, at a high production rate with a minimum of supervision or attention.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention also consists in certainmew and original features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be par ticularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the apparatus employed in assembling my improved box from a prepared blank;

Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the prepared blank and details of the elements of the box assembly apparatus operative to raise the front and rear wall panels and fold the end wall securing tabs into box-forming position;

. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the box-forming block, the front and rear panel raising elements, and the tab folding elements as they appear at one stage of operation upon the blank;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the prepared blank at a further stage of assembly, showing the front and rear wall panels and'the end wall securing tabs thereof folded into box-forming positionby folding elements of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the prepared blank when folded around the forming block,

. with the forming block and folded blank moved into position to be operated upon by end rollers which fold the bottom end wall flaps into position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled box as formed by the box assembly machine;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled box showing merchandise, such as a plurality of cigarette packs, packaged therein;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the box sealing machine which folds the box cover into position, applies adhesive to the tuck-in tab associated with the cover, inserts the tuck-in tab into the box, applies adhesive to the inside face of the cover end flaps, and folds the cover end flaps into sealing position to close the end walls of the box:

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a portion of the cover-folding and sealing apparatus positioned to place the cover sealing flap adjacent the inside face of the front wall panel, this view being taken along line -99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 9A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the cover folding and sealing apparatus positioned to apply the cover sealing flap to the outside face of the front wall panel.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the apparatus for applying adhesive to the cover end flaps, folding the same over the end walls, and sealing the same into position,

this view being taken on line Ill-40 .of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the machine asit'appears when looking in the direction of the arrows ll--ll of Fig. 9, this view showing particularly the device employed in applying adhesive to the cover tuck-in tab;

Fig. 11A is a transverse cross-sectional view of the machine wherein the adhesive applying device is positioned to apply adhesive to the inside face of the cover sealing flap whereby it may be secured to the outside face of the front wall panel.

Fig. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the machine as it appears when looking in the di rection of the arrows l2l2 of Fig. 9, this view showing particularly the pressure belts employed for pressing the cover tuck-in tab and the adjacent side wall of the box in adhesive contact;

Fig. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the machine as it appears whenlooking in the direction of the arrows l3l3 of Fig. 8, this view showing particularly the device employed in applying adhesive to the cover end flaps;

Fig. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view of 'the machine as it appears when looking in the direction of the arrows I 4|4 of Fig. 8, this view showing particularly the pressure belts employed for pressing the cover end flaps into sealing contact with the end wall tabs extending from the front and rear wall panels of the box;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the cover-folding and sealing device;

Fig, 15A is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the cover folding and sealing device arranged to apply the cover sealing flap to the outside face of the front wall panel;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the packed box showing folding elements of the machine in position to fold the end wall flaps into end wall sealing position;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the packed and sealed box as it appears when ejected from the apparatus ready for shipment; and

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the blank from which the box may be formed.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the draw- I ings and the specification.

In the assembling, packaging and. sealing of boxes according to the method and apparatus comprising this invention, body-forming blanks which may be of the general type illustrated in Fig. 18, are first prepared. The body-forming blanksmay be formed from relatively strong paperboard of the necessary strength and stiffness to properly support and retain the merchandise within the box. In order that the method and apparatus for assembling, packaging and sealing boxes comprising this invention may be better understood, the generalconstruction of the blank and the box formed therefrom will be first described.

Blank and boa: formed therefrom Referring more particularly to Fig.18, each blank may be cut from a large sheet or roll of the selected paperboard material, the cutting of the blanks from the sheet or roll into the proper shape and the scoring thereof bein advantageously performed by an automatic cutting and scoring machine. As shown in Fig. 18. each packaged box.

hinged to the bottom wall panel I along the fold line 5. Bottom end wall flaps 8 are hinged to each end of thebottom wall panel I along a fold. line 'I. Turn-mend wall tabs 8 are hinged to each end of the front wall panel 2 alonga fold line I, the score line I being inwardly offset fromthe score line 1 approximately the thickness of the paperboard. An end wall tab 9 is hinged .to each end of the rear wall panel. 3 along the fold line I, each fold line I likewisebeing inwardly offset from the adjacent fold line I approximately the thickness of the paperboard.

A cover flap III is hinged to the rear wall panel 3 along a fold line I3, the cover panel III having an end wall flap II hinged to each end thereof along the foldline, I", which extends substan tially in alignment with fold line I. A tuck-in tab I2 is hinged tocover panel I8 along a fold line It, which tuck-in flap serves to seal the Method of assembly' 1 The method employed for assembling the blank shown in Fig. 18 into the box shown in Fig.

6, and the method employed for sealing and closing the packaged box, shown in Fig. 7, will now be described.

shown in Fig. 6 from the blank shown in'Fig, 18, following which the merchandise M is. packed in the box, as illustrated in Fig. 7. After the merchandise has been packed in the box, the box closing and sealing operation is performed, comprising, folding the tuck-inflap at right angles to the cover panel, applying adhesive to the tuckin flap I2, folding the cover panel over the box,

tucking the tuck-in flap within the box and, 11- pally, pressing the'tuck-in flap into sealing con- "tact with the front wall panel. The tuck-in flap I2 is inserted into. the box during advancing movement thereof, substantially simultaneously. with the folding of they cover panel III over the corner area'Ii' of the bottom end flap 8, which operation may be performed manually or automatically. The-front panel 2 and the rear panel 3 are then folded so as to extend substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel I. The end flaps 8 and 9 hinged to each end of the front panel 2 and rear panel 3, respectively, are then folded inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the front and rear wall panels. The bottom end flaps Ii, to which adhesive 9 has been applied to the inside areas 6' thereof, are then folded at right angles to the bottom wall panel I and pressed into adhesive contact with the adiacent' end flaps 3 and 9. The box as shown in Fig.16 is thus produced.

After the merchandise M has been packed. within the box, as shown in Fig.' 'I, the box-seal- In general, the operation com-' prises, first, the assembly of the box formed as first bent substantially at right angles to the cover panel III, and while suitably supported in this position a strip of adhesive is applied to a portion I2 of theoutside face thereof. The

cover panel I8 is then folded tooverlie the merchandise and substantially simultaneously the tuck-in flap I2 is inserted into the box adjacent the inside face of the front wall panel 2. Preferably, pressure is exerted on the outside face of the front wall panel 2 so to press this panel into firm adhesive enga' ement with the tuck-in flap. I

Following this operation, adhesive is applied in strip form to the inside face of the cover end flaps I I which, if desired, may be performed by strip glue-applying mechanism; The cover end flaps II are then folded at right angles to the cover panel II), as shown in Fig. 16, so as to overliethe end flaps 8 and 9. Pressure is aping operations are performed. By referring more particularly to Fig. 13, the tuck-in flap I2 is plied to the cover end flaps I I so as to press the same into firm adhesive contact with the end.

flaps 8 and 9. I

The box as thus formed, packed and sealed cannot be opened withoutgiving visible evidence of tampering. The box as assembled-has doubleply endwalls-and thus is strong and sturdy in construction, so that large numbers of packed cartons may be stacked one upon the other without danger of crushing or damage to the merchandise therein;

Boa: assembly apparatus There is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive the apparatus whereby the various steps of assembling the blank into boxes of the form shown in Fig. 6. may be performed. -It is understood.

however, that the apparatus shown in the drawings is for the-purposes of illustrationonly and formed as illustrated in Fig. 18 without adhesive applied thereto, are placed upon a suitable blank-supporting platform 2I supported upon a pedestal 22. The platform 2I may be so mounted as to be raised upwardly in predetermined stages as the blanks are removed from the top v thereof.

area B of the bottom end flaps 6, by means of glue plungers 23 which have the bottom end 34 thereof shaped to conform to the glue area 6'. The blank, as shown in Fig. 18, has four glue areas 6". so that four glue'plungers- 23 will be provided suitably spaced to apply adhesive to the blank at the proper points. The glue plungers '23 may be adjustably fixed to a suitableframe member 24 mounted on, a reciprocating shaft 25. which is arranged to reciprocate vertically. Upon downward reciprocation of the shaft 25, the lower ends 34 of the plungers 23, each having a layer of adhesive 9 applied thereto, contact the top-' most blank supported on the platform 2I and Lraise the blank in a position to be received bya pair of horizontally reciprocating blank-supporting arms 40 which move under a stationary plate 82. The plate "limits the upward'move-,

.ment of the topmost blank so that the lower A spot of adhesive is applied to each corner to a rotatably mounted shaft 30.

pot 26 for containing the adhesive, a pair of glue transfer rollers 21 rotatably fixedto a rotating shaft 28, whose peripheral surface is adapted to contact a pair of glue-applying rollers 29 fixed Rotatably mounted shaft 30 may be supported in bearings provided upon suitable spaced brackets 3! each fixed to a reciprocating rod 32 which reciprocates in spaced hanger brackets 33. By reciprocating the paired rods 32 the glue-applying rollers 29 may be moved into contact with the glue transfer rolls 21 which when rotated rotate the glue-applying rolls 29.to apply a film of adhesive to the periphery thereof. Rods 32 are then moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 1, so that each roller 29 rolls into adhesive-applyingcontact with the lower end 34 of two of the plungers 23 so as to apply a film of adhesive to the lower ends thereof. The glue roller supporting rods 32 are operated in synchronism with the vertically reciprocating movement of plunger shaft 25 so as to apply a film of adhesive to the lower ends 34 thereof before the plungers 23 move downwardly to contact the topmost blank supported upon the platform 2|.

The adhesive g applied to the ends 34 of the plungers 23 when moved into contact with the blank causes the topmost blank to stick or adhere to the plungers 23 so that the blank can be raised from the stack'of blanks, at which time the paired arms 40 move under the blanks. When the paired arms 40 have been moved to the right, as shown in Fig. -1, and the blank released from the plungers by plate 42, a hook portion 4| on each end of the arms 40 engages the adjacent end of the blank and draws the blank to the right under the stationary plate 42, the arms 40 carrying the blank to box assembly mechanism which will be presently described. Reciprocation of the arms 40 may be effected by a pivotally mounted lever 44 which is connected to a link 45 through pivot connection 46 and to rod 43 through pivot connection 41, the rod 43 being connected to the arms 40.

The reciprocating arms 40 move the blank supported thereon into position over a pair of spaced tilting plates 50 which are adapted to fold the front and rear wall panels 2 and 3 of the blank into-position substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel I, when a box-forming block 60 is pressed downwardly against the bottom wall panel I of the box. The box-forming block 60 is shaped "to substantially conform to the interior of the boxv to be formed, the lower surface of the block substantially conforming in area to the bottom wall panel I of the box. The block 60 is fixed to a reciprocating rod 6| which slides --through a suitable sleeve 62 provided in supporting arm 63 which is fixed to supporting bracket 54.

The front and rear panel folding plates 50 have an area substantially equal to the corresponding front and rear wall panels of the box.

A lip element 52 projects at right angles from each end of each plate 50 in position to engage the adjacent end flaps 8 and 9 at the ends of the front and rear wall panels 3. Each plate 50 is provided with a pair of logs through which a shaft 54 journalled in a supporting bracket 53 extends. A tension spring 55 is secured to lug 5| and to the bracket 53. The mechanisms for folding the front and rear wall panels of the box positioned substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel I are substantially identical.

' right angles to the front and rear wall panels 2 and 3 respectively. Upon further downward movement of th forming block 60, the front and rear panel folding plates 50 are swung into vertical position against the action of tension springs 55,; so as to fold the front and rear wall panels of the box against the sides of the forming block 60, as shown in Fig. 4. This operation also causes the tab-folding elements 52 to fold the end tabs 8 and 9 against the ends of the form block 60; as shown in Fig. 4. v

Upon further downward movement of the form block 60, which carries the partially formed box with it, the bottom end flaps 6 having adhesive 9 applied to the areas 6' thereof move into contact with spaced rollers 65 each fixed to a rotatably mounted spindle 66. Each roller 65 serves to wipe the adjacent bottom end fiap 8 upwardly and into adhesive contact .with the end tabs 8 and 9, pressing the bottom end flap into firm adhesive engagement with the end tabs 8 and 5. The box as thus formed, appeering as-shown in Fig. 6, is then ejected from the machine.

It will be appreciated that the various box assembly devices above described are formed as a part of aunitary machine and are operated in synchronism throughsuitable driving devices to effect rapid assembly of successive boxes. It will be appreciated that various modifications of the box assembly devices may be made by those skilled in the art by following the teachings of the disclosure above made. It will therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the employment of the particular box-assembly mechanism above described.

After the box has been assembled in the form shown in Fig. 6, the merchandise M is packed therein, which, as shown in Fig. 7, may comprise a plurality of cigarette packs. While the box as thus formed provides an economical and highly satisfactory packaging medium for cigarette packs, it will be appreciated that numerous other kinds of merchandise can be packaged therein within the purview of this invention.

Boa: closing and sealing mechanism The mechanism for closing and sealing the box is generally illustrated in Figs. 8 to 15 inclusive; The mechanism for folding the tuck-in flap I2 at right angles to the cover panel I0, for applying a-strip of adhesive to the outer section I2 of the tuck-in flap I2, and for closing the cover and inserting the tuck-in flap I2 into the box, is more particularly illustrated in the left-hand section of Fig. 8 and in Figs. 9 and 15. The mechanism for applying adhesive to the inside face of the cover end flaps II and for folding these flaps into adhesive contact with end tabs 8 and 9, is more particularly illustrated in the right-hand section of Fig. 8 and in Fig. 10.

Referring more particularly to the left-hand section of Fig. 8. and Figs. 9, 11. 12 and 15, the mechanism for forming the specified operations first above enumerated is supported upon spaced frame members 1I supported by suitable legs 12 upon the frame members II, the table top havinga depressedgroove or channel 14 therein within which the upper flight of a conveyor belt 15' may move. Conveyor belt 15 is supported at the head end of the machine by a suitable sprocket 18 over which the belt or chain is trained, the sprocket 16 being fixed to shaft 11 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided in the frame members H of the machine. A drive pulley 18 fixed to one end of shaft 11 may be driven by suitable belting connected to a source of power, such as an electric motor. The belt 15 is provided with spaced box pusher lugs 83 fixed 88 fixed to shaft 8] rotatably mountedin suitable bearings provided in the side frames 1I.

When the packed box, shown more particularly in Figs. 9; 11 and 15, is positioned on the table top 13,- the cover panel I8 and the tuck-in flap I2 extend vertically substantially in alignment with the rear panel 3. A pair of spaced guide plates 84 extending vertically from the table top '13, are provi'e'd for guiding the box therebetween in its advancing movement along the table top 18. During the advance of the box the cover panel I8 moves between two spaced bars 85 and 88 which. are each support ed by suitable brackets 81 and 88 respectively, fixed to a frame member 88 supported upon the table top 13. The guidemembers 85 and 88 have outwardly flared ends 86 and 8I' respectively, as shown more'particularlyin Fig. 15, to facilitate entry of the cover panel I8 therebetween. The top edge 82 of inside guide bar 88 is positioned so as to substantially align with the crease line II defining tuck-in flap I2 from the cover panel I8.

Means are provided for folding tuck-flap I'2 inwardly at right angles to the cover panel I8, which operation must be performed before the cover panel is brought into closed position. This folding means may comprise a twisted strip of metal 85 fixed to or forming an integral part of outside guide bar 85, which strip has a ver-' tically extending portion 86 projecting upwardly from guide bar 85. The vertical portion 88 glue roller I8I may be positively driven by a pulley I85 fixed to roller shaft I82, driven by belting I88 trained over pulley I88 fixed to the folding device may terminate in a cover pressing tail I88 which serves to press the cover panel I8 in position to overlie the merchandise in the box. i

Referring more particularly to Figs. 8, Sand 11, means are provided for applying a strip of adhesive to. the outside face of the tuck-in flap I2 when folded into horizontal position. An'adhesive-applying roller I 8I rotatably mounted on shaft I82 is positioned so that the periphery thereof contacts the exterior portion I2" of the flap when in horizontal position and when engaged by horizontal portion 81 of the flap-folding mechanism 85. The periphery of the glue roller I8I receives adhesive from a suitable, glue pot I83 fixed as by brackets I84 to a supporting plate I85 fixed to the table top 13 of the machine. Glue roller I8I removes adhesive from glue pot I83 and the film of. adhesive applied to the periphery thereof is transferred in strip form to the outer portion I2-of the tuck-in flap. The

end of shaft 11.

In event it is desirable to apply the front sealing flap I2 to the outside face of. the front wall panel 2, it will beappreciated that the glue roller I8I may be positioned beneath the inturned front sealing ,flap I2, as shown'in Figs. 9A, 11A and 15A, so as to apply adhesive to'the undersurface thereof. The glue pot I88 would be conveniently arranged to apply adhesive to the periphery of the glue roller I'8I when so positioned. A suitable bracket support I85 would then be provided for the glue roller shaft I82 which bracket would be supported by the table top 13 and positioned at the left-hand side of the table as viewed in Fig. 11A. As a further modification, the downwardly extending flange portion 88, as shown more particularly in Fig. 15A, would have its lower end so arranged as to overlap the outside face of the front wall panel 2 so that the front sealing flap I2- would be brought into sealing engagement with the outside face of the front I wall panel.

veyor belt I5, the cover panel I8 moves between guide bars 85 and 88 and during its continued merges-by a smooth curved portion-into a-hori- 5 zontally extending portion 81 which is of sufficient width 'to engage narrow strip section I2 of the tuck-tab I2; the horizontal .portion 81 operating to fold tuck-in tab I2 inwardly over the top edge 82 of guide bar 88 so as'to extend substantially at right anglesto cover panel III,-

as shown in Fig; 15'. The horizontal portion 81 of .the flap-folding strip 85 merges into a downwardly. extending flange portion 88 which terminates adiacent the top edge of the front wa1lpanel'2 of the-box-as' the'box is advanced along the conveyor; It will be noted by. referring to Fig. 15 that the downwardlyjextending flange portion 88 also swings in a 'smooth curve from a point adjacent the rear panel -3 of the box to the front panel 2 thereof. The arm 85 enlarges in width at a point where the horizontal flange 81 turns downwardly, so as to provide a plate portion 88 which rollsfrom a vertical to a'hori- It will now be appreciated that as the packed box is advanced along the table top 13 by con-v advance the horizontal portion 81 of the flapfolding device 85e holds the flap I2 in horizontal position, when glue roller I8I applies adhesive in strip form tothe outer portion I2" of the flap. Downwardly extending and downturned flange portion 88 of the'flap -folding' device folds zontal position to overlie the'box cover. The

the flap I2 downwardly. andplate portion 88 and tail- I88 folds the cover panel I8 in closed position over the merchandise in the box, during which operation the tuck-in fla'p I2 is inserted within the box' adjacent the insideface'of the front panel 2. The tuck-in flap folding device and the cover-folding device are stationary while the box is progressively advanced through the apparatus, high-production speeds thereby being obtained.

Toinsure firm adhesive engagement between the' tuck-in flap I2 and the front panel 2, a pair of-presser belts II8 are provided positioned adjacent the front andrear wall panels of the box, as shown more particularly in Figs. 8, 9

and 12. Each'ofthe presser belts III) is trained over spaced rollers H2 and 6. Each roller H2 is rotatably mounted upon a spindle II3 fixed to the table top 13. Each roller H6 is fixed to one spindle II1 which extends through the table top 13 and is supported by a bearing II8 fixed to the table top 13. A beveled gear H1 is fixed to the end of each spindle II1, gear 1' meshing with gear H9 fixed to sprocket shaft 8|. A belt tensioning roller II4 rotatably mounted upon spindle II fixed to table top 13 retains each belt H0 in pressing engagement against the adjacent side wall panel of the box. The belts IIO are positively driven in synchronism with the box advancing chain 15 by roller IIB positively driven from the sprocket 80. The belts IIO also assist the sprocket. chain' 15 to advance the successive boxes onto conveyor belts I24,

which may be arranged at right angles to the conveyor belt 15, conveyor belts I 24 advancing the box into engagement with further box sealing mechanism, which will now be described.

Referring more particularly to the right-hand section 'of Fig. 8 and Figs. 10, 13 and 14. parallel extending spaced frame members I2I are provided supported upen legs I 22, the frame mem-- bers I2I extending generally at right angles to the frame. members 1|. A table top I23 is supported upon the frame members I2I and is provided with a pair of spaced parallel extending grooves I26 each adapted to receive and retain the upper flight of a conveyor belt I24. Each of the conveyor belts I24 is trained over a sprocket I21 at the head end of the apparatus and a sprocket I at the discharging end of the apparatus. The paired sprockets I21 are fixed to the shaft I28 journalled in suitable brackets I29 fixed to the frame members I2I. One end of shaft I28 is provided with a beveled gear I30 which meshes with beveled gear I3I fixed to driven shaft 8|.

The belts I I0 engage the side wall panels of the box, advance the box onto the table top I23, preferably positioned at the same elevation as or at an elevation slightly below table top 13. A stop plate I45, supported by brackets I46 fixed to the table top I23, limits and defines the advancing end of the box so that it is properly positi'oned upon table top I23. Each of the. advancingchains I24 are provided with paired boxengaging lugs I34 which engage the front wall panel of the box to advance the box along the table top I23. A guide plate I41 supported by brackets I48 fixed to table top I23 further serves to position and guide the adjacent end of the box so that the box is spaced between the guide plates I and I41 and is thus evenly advanced by the conveyor belts I24.

As the box is advanced by the conveyor belts I24, the laterally projecting cover end flaps II thereof each move under a backing plate [.54 fixed to bracket support I51, which bracket is fixed to the table top I23 exterior to the advancing belts I24. 'Each of the backing plates I54 may have an upturned entry end I to facilitate movement of the cover flaps II thereunder; Immediately below each of the backing plates I54 is a glue roller I50 fixed to shaft I5I rotatably supported by a suitable bracket I52 supported by the table top I23. Each of the glue rollers I50 has the lower portion thereof extending into a glue well I53 formed in the table top I23.

As the cover flaps II move under the overlying backing plates I54, they also move into contact with the peripheral surface of the glue-applying rollers I50, which peripheral surface receives a film of. adhesive from the glue contained in the glue well I53. As the cover flaps II are positively advanced by lugs I34 engaging the box under the backing plates I54, the undersurface of the cover flaps moves into contact with the peripheral surface of the glue rollers I50 so as to receive'a strip of adhesive on the undersurface thereof. Each glue roller I50 may be positively driven by means of a sprocket I56 fixed to the glue roller shaft I 5I. A drive chain I58 is trained over each sprocket I56 and a sprocket I59 fixed to a common shaft I8I journalled in the side frames I2I and driven by a pulley wheel I83 which receives a belt I85 trained over pulley wheel I84 fixed to driven shaft I28.

Upon further advance movement of the box through the appalatus, the cover flaps I I move into contact with a pair of spaced flap-folding knives I00, shown in Figs. 8, 10 and 16,- a folding knife I60 being provided for each of the cover end flaps II. Each folding knife I60 is fixed to a suitable bracket I6I supported by the table top I23. The lower edge of each knife I60 has a curved entry edge I62 which rides over the adjacent cover flap II and as the box is advanced folds the cover flap into adhesive contact with the adjacent end tabs 8 and 9 of the box.

To make sure that firm adhesive engagement between the cover end flaps II and the end tabs 8 and 9 is effected, the box is preferably moved between spaced pressure belts I10, as shown in Figs. 8, 10 and 14. Each pressure belt is rotatably supported upon spaced rollers HI and I15. Roller IN is rotatably supported upon a spindle I12 fixed to the table top I23, while roller I15 is fixed to a. spindle I16 which extends through table top I23 and is supported by a bearing I11 fixed to the table top. Each of the spindles I16 carries a beveled gear I18 at the lower end thereof which meshes with a beveled gear I19 fixed to the driven shaft I4I which supports the belt sprockets I40. Thus the belts I10 are positively driven by the driven shaft MI in synchronism with the advancing movement of the boxadvancing belts I24.

A tension roller I13 may be associated with each of the belts I10 to maintain the inner run of the belt in pressing contact with the adjacent and the end tabs 8 and 9 of the box is thus at-' tained. Each box is ejected from the discharge end of the table I23 fully packed and sealed in the condition shown in Fig. 17. The packed boxes, of which Fig. 17 is an exemplification, are then arranged in suitable shipping cartons ready for shipment to the merchandiser.

By employing the method and apparatus above described, boxes or cartons for the reception of merchandise can be formed from substantially rectangular blanks of paperboard material, as shown in Fig. 18, substantially without cutting waste. In the first operation the boxes are assembled in the form shown in Fig. 6, which assembly operation may be rapidly performed by the assembly apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive at a high production rate. Since the merchandise M, such as cigarette packs, generally requires inspection before packaging, it is generally desirably that separate articles of merchandise be packed in the erected box by hand as each article is inspected, although an automatic packaging machine, which forms no part of this invention, may beemployed. The third operation comprises a series of method steps for bending the sealing tab l2- at right angle to the cover panel H), applying the sealing adhesive l2' in strip form to the cover sealing tab, tucking the cover sealing tab l2 into the interior of the box as thecover panel is folded down in closed position, pressing the cover sealing tab in firm adhesive contact with the inside face of the front wall panel, 2, applying adhesive to the cover flaps H extending from the ends of the cover panel. folding these cover end flaps ll into sealing engagement with the end tabs 8 and 9, firmly pressing the cover end flaps II in firm adhesive engagement with the end tabs 8 and 9, and finally ejecting the fully packed box.

The box closing and sealing operation can be performed in rapid succession at a high production rate by means of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 8 to 14 inclusive and above described. Since the folding, tucking and adhesive applying mechanism operating upon the packed box are rela tively stationary with respect to the advancing movement of the spaced boxes, high production can be maintained with less danger that the operating parts will get out of order than where moving operating mechanisms are employed. The box sealing machine is driven from a single belt pulley 18 at the head end of the machine,

thus assuring positive synchronism of the boxadvancing belts, box pressure belts, and glue 'roli ers. Except for the box-advancing belts, box

panels, and a cover portion having a cover panel, a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps hinged to the coverpanel, which method comprises, ap-

plying arelatively narrow strip of adhesive to the front sealing flap, folding the cover-panel .in a plane substantially parallel tothe bottom 7 wall panel so as to overlie the'merchandise con-' tained in the body portion, pressing the front sealing flap into sealing engagement with the front wall panel, applying adhesive to the underside of each of the end wall flaps, and pressing each of the end wall flaps into sealing engagement with the adjacent end wall panel.

3. Th method of closing and sealing merchandising cartons each of which comprises a body portion having a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall'panels, and end wall panels, and

a cover portion having a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel, a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps hinged tothe cover panel, which method comprises the steps of raising the cover panel into a substantially vertical position, ad-

vancing the carton along a predetermined path and during said advance applying a strip of ad-- hesive along substantially the full length of the 'front sealing flap, folding the cover panel in a pressure belts, and glue rollers, all operating parts and mechanisms remain stationary, so that there is no danger that the box folding and tucking mechanisms-will become disarranged or out of synchronism.-

Boxes which are neat in appearance and positively and uniformly sealed automatically and without hand operation, may be produced by following the teachings of my improved method and apparatus above described. While the sealed boxes thus produced have been illustrated in connection with the packaging of cigarette packs, it is understood that numerous and varied kinds of merchandise may be packaged and sealed in cartons of various shapes and forms by following the teachings of this invention.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be, understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art 'without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. The method of closing and sealing merchandising cartons each of which comprisesa body portion having a bottom, side and-end wall panels and a cover portion having a cover panel and a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps prises a body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels, and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel, a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps hinged to the cover panel, which method comprises the steps of inserting merchandise into the assembled .body portion, advancing the packed carton along a predetermined path and during. said advance bending the front sealing flap substantially at right angles tothe cover panel, applying a relatively narrow strip of adhesive along substantially the full length of the front sealing flap,

gagement with thefront wall panel, applying adhesive to the undersldeof each of'the end wall hinged to the cover paneLwhich method comprises, bending the front sealing flap substantially at right angles to the cover panel, applying a strip of adhesive along substantially the full length of the front sealing flap, folding the cover panel into a'plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel, pressing the front sealing flap into sealing engagement with the front wall panel,- applying adhesive to the underside of each of the end wall flaps, and pressing each of the end wall flaps into sealingengagement .with the adjacent end wall panel.

-'2. The method of closing and sealing merchandising cartons each of which comprises a body portion having bottom, side and end wall folding the cover panel in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel so as to overlie the merchandise contained in the body portion, pressing the front sealingflap into sealing en'- flaps, and pressing each ofthe end wall flapsinto sealing engagement with the-adjacent end wall panel.

5. The method of packaging, closing and sealing merchandising cartons each of which comprises a body portion defined by a. bottom wall panel, front and rear wall-panels, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of each front and rear wall panel, a bottom end flap hinged to each end of the bottom wall panel adhesively secured to the adjacent-inturned end tabs, and a coverportion defined by a covenpanel hinged to the rear wallpanel, a front sealing flap and complementary end sealing flaps hinged to the cover panel, which method comprises, inserting merchandise into the assembled bodyportion, thereafter advancing the carton along apredetermined path, applyinga relatively narrow strip of adhesive along substantially, the full length of the front sealing flap during advance movement of. the carton, progressively folding --adjacent intumed tabs during advance movement of the carton.

6. The method of packaging, closing and sealing merchandising cartons each of which comprises a body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels, an inturned ,end tab hinged to each end of each front and rear wall panel, and a bottom wall flap hinged to each end of the bottom wall panel adhesively secured to the adjacent inturned end tabs, and a cover-portion having a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel, a front sealing flap hinged to the front edge of the cover panel and a complementary end sealing flap hinged to each end of the cover panel, which method comprises,

inserting merchandise into the assembled body. portion, erecting the cover panel into a position substantially co-planar with said rear wall panel, progressively bending said front sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel, applying a relatively narrow strip of adhesive to the front sealing flap, progressively folding the cover panel into a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel and substantially simultaneously tucking the front sealing flap into the body portion, pressing the front sealing flap into sealing engagement with the front wall panel, applying adhesive to the underside of each end wall flap, and pressing each of the end wall flaps into sealing engagement with the adjacent end wall tabs.

'7. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons each of which comprises a bodyv portion defined by bottom, side and end wall panels, and a cover portion hinged to one of said side wall panels comprising a cover panel to which is hinged a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps, said machine comprising means for advancing the carton along a predetermined path, means for bending the front sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel during advance movement of the carton. means for applying a strip of adhesive along substantially the full length of the front sealing flap during advance movement of the carton, means for progressively folding the cover panel into a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton, means for applying adhesive to the underside of each of the end wall flaps during advance movement of the carton, means for folding sa d end wall flaps downwardly, and means for pressing each of said end wall flaps into sealing engagement with the adjacent end wall panel.

8. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containng body portion having a bottom wall panel and front and rear wall panels, a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel of the body portion anda front sealing flap hinged to the cover panel, said machine comprising means for progressively advancing the carton along a predetermined path, a pair of spaced guide elements operative to support said,

cover panel therebetween, normally stationary means for progressively bending the front sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel during advance movement of the carton, means for progressively applying a relatively narrow strip of adhesive along substantially the full length of the front sealing flap during advance movement of the carton, normally stationary means for progressively folding the cover panel into a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton, and means for progressively pressing the front sealing flap into sealing engagement with an adjacent front wall 'panel of the body portion during advance movement of the carton.

9. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels, and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel of the body portion and a front sealing flap hinged to the cover panel, said machine comprising means for progressively advancing each carton along a predetermined path, a pair of spaced substantially stationary guide elements adapted to receive the cover panel therebetween and operative to maintain said cover panel in substantially erect position'during a-portion of said advance movement, substantially stationary means for progressively bending said front sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel while supported in erect position, means for progressively applying a strip of adhesive to said front sealing flap during advance movement of the carton, substantially stationary means for progressively folding the cover panelinto a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton, and substantially stationary means for tucking the front sealing flap into the carton adjacent the inside face of the front wall panel during advance movement of the carton.

10; A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton com-' prises a merchandise-containing portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel of the body portion and a front sealing flap hinged to the cover paneL'said machine comprising a conveyor belt for progressively advancing said cartons along a predetermined path in predetermined spaced relationship, means normally stationary with respect to said conveyor belts for progressively applying a strip of adhesive to each ofsaid front sealing flaps, means for supporting said front sealing flaps during engagement with said adhesive-applying means, a normally stationary guide plate having a portion for progressively folding the cover panels into a plane substantially parallel to their corresponding bottom panels during advancing movement of the cartons, and a portion for progressively tucking said front sealing fiaps into their associated cartons during advance movement of the cartons, and means for progressively pressing said front sealing flaps into adhesive sealing engagement with their correponding front walls of the cartons during advance movement.

11. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels hingedto said bottom wall panel, an inturned tab hinged to each end of each of said front and rear wall panels, and a bottom end flap hinged to each end of said bottom wall panel and adhesively secured to the adjacent inturned end tabs, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel hinged to the rear wall panel of the body portion, a front sealing flap and end sealing flaps hinged to the respective front side edge and end edges of the cover panel, said machine including means for progressively advancing each carton along a predetermined path, means for V progressively applying a strip of adhesive to the front sealing flap during advance movement of the carton, means for progressively folding the cover panel into a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton, means for progressively pressing the front sealing flap into adhesive en gagement with th front wall panel during advance movement of the carton, means adjacent each end of the carton for applying a strip of adhesive to the underside of each of the cover end flaps during advance movement of the carton, and means for progressively pressing each of said cover end flaps into adhesive engagement with the adjacent inturned end tabs during advance movement of the carton.

12. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel and a front sealing flap hinged to said cover panel, said machine including means for progressively advancing each carton along a predetermined path, a pair of normally stationary spaced guide means adapted to receive and support therebetween said cover' panel during a portion of the advance movement of the carton, a normally stationary curved deflecting means operative to bend the front wall sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel during advance movement of the carton, and a relatively stationary guide plate operative to progressively fold the cover panel into a position substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton.

13. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel and a front sealing flap hinged to said cover panel, said machine including means for progressively advancing each carton along a predetermined path, a normally stationary curved deflecting means operative to bend the front sealing flap into a position substantially at right angles to the cover panel during advance movement of said carton, an applicator positioned to contact the sealing flap for progressively applying a relatively narrow strip of adhesive thereto during advance movement of the carton, and a normally stationary curved deflecting plate having a portion operative to progressively fold the cover panel into a position substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton and a curved portion operative to bend said front sealin: flap in overlapping sealing position with respect to said front wall panel.

14. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type-wherein each carton comprise a merchandise-containing body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall panels and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel and a front'sealing flap hinged to said cover panel, said machine including means for progressively advancing each carton along a predetermined path, an applicator positioned to contact the sealing flap for progressively applying a strip of adhesive thereto during advance movement of, the carton, a normaily stationary curved deflecting plate having a portion operative to progressively fold thecover panel into a position substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton, and a curved tuck-in portion associated with said curved deflecting plate operative to insert the front sealing flap into the carton during advance movement of the carton. I

15. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear wall gressively applying a strip of adhesive thereto during advancing movement of the carton, a normally stationary curved deflecting plate having a portion operative to progressively fold the cover panel into a position substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement of the carton and a curved portion adapted to progressively fold the front sealing flap into a position adjacent said front wall panel during advance movement of the carton, and means for progressively pressing the front sealing flap into adhesive engagement withthe front wall panel during advance movement of the carton.

' 16. A machine for closing and sealing packed cartons of. the type wherein each carton comprises a merchandise-containing body portion defined by a bottom wall panel, front and rear I wall panels and end wall panels, and a cover portion defined by a cover panel and an end wall flap hinged to each end of said cover panel, said machine includingmeans for progressively advancing said carton along "a predetermined path.

means for progressively folding the cover panel into a position substantially parallel to the bottom wall panel during advance movement off-the carton, applicator means positioned adjacent each end of the carton for applying a strip of adhesive to the underside of each end wall flap during advance movement of the carton, means positioned adjacent each end of the carton for folding the adjacent end wall flap'downwardly during advance movement of the carton, and

means positioned at each end of the carton for- HERMAN A. CARRUTH. 

